ITU Regional Seminar for the Africa
Region on Conformance and
Interoperability Testing
(Accra, Ghana, 4 – 6 July 2011)
Towards a Harmonized Approach to Type
Approval Certification: Case Study of Nigeria
Dr Bashir Gwandu, PhD, MBA, CEng FIET
Executive Commissioner (Technical Services)
Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC
BashirGwandu@yahoo.co.uk
Accra, Ghana, 4 – 6 July 2011
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Outline
Introduction.
Conformance to Standards and Interoperability
with other systems
Diverse Technologies and Technology Uptake,
Legal Framework for Type-Approval;
Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA 2003).
Type Approval Guidelines, 2007
Type Approval Regulations, 2008
Nigeria’s Type Approval Processes
Monitoring, Enforcement, and Sanctions
Conclusions
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Introduction1- Standards
Applicable Standard Is a format that has been
approved by a recognized standards organization
body or institution, accepted as a norm for use by
the industry.
There are standards for equipment, devices,
systems,
circuits,
networks,
programming
languages, operating systems, data formats,
electrical interfaces etc.
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Introduction2 - Conformance and
Interoperability Expectations
Conformance:
Conformance to Specifications
Compliance to Standards – Easy of Integration
Meeting safety and reliability requirements
networks or Standalone
in
Interoperability and Compatibility
Integration and Interfacing with other network
devices (and all such devices implement specs,
correctly)
Support of specified communications protocols –
systems speak same language
Reduction of probability of errors
Interference with other systems thereby affecting
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A TASTE OF VARIOUS TECHNOLOGIES
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OTHER MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES
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Mobile Telecommunications Standards
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TECHNOLOGIES FOR SHORT-HAUL
MICROWAVE-TERRESTRIAL
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TECHNOLOGIES AND NETWORKS
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SERVICE UPTAKE - GROWTH RATE OF
SUBSCRIBER LINES -NIGERIA
80'000'000
74'518'264
70'000'000
Active Lines
64'296'117
60'000'000
50'000'000
41'975'275
40'000'000
33'858'022
30'000'000
19'519'154
20'000'000
10'201'728
10'000'000
866'782
2'271'050
4'021'945
0
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
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PROPORTION OF FIXED TO MOBILE
NIGERIA
Fixed
1.9% Fixed
Mobile
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
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Legal Framework -The NCA, 2003
The Commission shall, at the instance of licensed
service providers, equipment manufacturers or
suppliers, conduct Type approval tests and issue
certificates therefor in respect of communications
equipment and facilities to be used in Nigeria
Licensed service or facilities providers, equipment
manufacturers or suppliers shall obtain type
approval certificates from the Commission in respect
of their communications equipment or facilities prior
to installation or sale in Nigeria
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The Type Approval Guidelines, 2007
The Document is intended to identify the procedures
to be followed before communications equipment is
used or sold in Nigeria. It provides details on:
Application Guidelines
Explains how to apply for Type-Approval
Applicable Fees
Test Results
Type Approval for Changes to Equipment
Declaration of Conformity
Supporting Documentation required
Labeling requirements.
List of Standards some been used for DoC
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The Type Approval Regulation, 2008
Describe rules and processes for the exercise of functions of the
Commission w.r.t Type Approval
Identify applicable technical standards in addition to the details
provided by the Guidelines
Provide Schedule of Fees
Provides for Publication and update of list of Approved
equipment (Dbase)
Discusses Contraventions and Enforcement Processes including
that of Revocation of certificates
Provide procedures for Revocation –Notices etc
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Step1:-Administrative Type-Approval
Processes
Verification of the Completeness of the submitted
filled NCC type approval form
Verification of the Evidence of application form fee
payment (N1,000.00)
Verification of the completeness of the submitted
documentation
Verification of firm incorporation details
Verification of tax indebtedness (if any)
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Step2:- Technical Examinations
-Checks1
PHYSICAL INSPECTION AND TEST -Label and
Marking can reveal sub standards / fake equipment
Operational Frequency: Only equipment operating
within the approved spectrum is allowed to be
imported into and deployed in the country.
Spectrum Mask must be passed/met by all
transmitting equipment: this reveals the level of
out-of-bound emissions and possibility of
interference.
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Technical Examinations -Checks2
Type and nature of interface and protocols to
ensure seamless and interoperability.
Redundancy features – (1+0, 1+1), hot swapable
to ensure that down time is kept as low as possible.
Availability of Test Reports: Ensures that
Electromagnetic Compatibility, Radio, Electrical
Safety, Health etc standards were carried out on
such equipment and test certificates are included.
Power Limit: To ensure that equipment operates
within the acceptable power level
Supply Voltage, Current, Frequency and Power
ratings: Ensures compliance to applicable electrical
standards in Nigeria
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Technical Examinations -Checks3
SIM / RUIM Swap: A cell phone must work with
different networks as long as the networks are
offering the same technology.
Battery Life - Talk Time:. Average talk time can
be fixed at 4hours and Standby time fixed at 6
days) i.e. any period regarded as reasonable
DoC with Acceptable International Standards:
Ensures Standards Such as IEC, ETSI, CENELEC, EN
and ITU Recommendations (MARK??) etc. are
adhered to
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Technical Examinations- Cheks4
Functionality and Safety of devices must be
guaranteed.
ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS - Humidity,
Temperature and Pressure: The operational range
may be observed to suite Nigeria ambient
environment
SPECIFIC TEST FOR SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT eg.
SAR Test must be passed by all Handsets,
Smartphones etc
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Other Processing Steps
Step3: Tests (If deemed appropraite)
At NCC
At Special Labs
Manufacturer Premises
Acceptance of test certificates from recognized Labs
Step4: Various Administrative Approvals
Step5: Payment –After Approvals are Granted
Step6: Printing/Issuance of Certificates
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Monitoring and Enforcement
Random Site Visits, or via Complaints (Direct or via Consumer
Parliaments)
Directive to Stop ordering and Sales
Seizures
Withdrawal of other Approvals
Business Closures (Lock-up Premises)
Fines, Forfeitures
Prosecutions
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Main Interference Sources that need
Monitoring
Incidental Radiators
Antennas, Amplifiers, Battery chargers etc
Unintentional Radiators
Computers, Peripherals and Digital
systems,
Intentional Radiators
Baby Monitors, Garage door Controls
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INTERFERENCE POSSIBILITIES
FDD: Only terminal-to-base-station and base-station-to-terminal interference
TDD: Also terminal-to-terminal and base-station-to-base-station interference
Interference
Interference
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Sanctions : Section 133 of NCA 2003
A person who sales or installs any communications
equipment or facilities without first obtaining the
Commission’s type approval test certificate therefor
commits an offence and on conviction, is liable to a fine
not exceeding N100,000.00 or to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 1 year or to both such fine and
imprisonment
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (4) of this
section, a licensee who installs or sales any
communications equipment or facilities without first
obtaining the Commission’s type approval test certificate
therefor is liable to pay fine to the Commission in such
amount as the Commission may determine
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Conclusions
Have discussed
Conformance to Standards and Interoperability
Diverse Technologies, Technology Standards, and
Rapid Technology Uptake in Nigeria
What the Law says:
Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA 2003).
Type Approval Guidelines, 2007
Type Approval Regulations, 2008
Nigeria’s Type Approval Processes
Monitoring, Enforcement, and Sanctions
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THE END
I Thank You all
BashirGwandu@yahoo.co.uk
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